SAM-26-GB - Cybergun

M
A
S
NEW CYBERGUN
WEBSITE
OFFICIAL MAGAZINE FOR REPLICA
WEAPONS FIRING PLASTIC PELLETS
www.cybergun.com
No.
26
October 2006
M
A
S
KALASHNIKOV AK 47
Electric replica of a legend
S A MPREVIEW
oft
DESERT EAGLE .50AEir
SIG SP 2340
The new range
“Electronic Blow Back System”
ag
SWISS ARMS
M6 Sniper
ACCESSORIES
The multi-pocket tactical vest
Power and accuracy
SOMMAIRE
TEST
NEWS
Editorial
Fall 2006 is particularly rich in new models!
Cybergun has really spoilt us in many different
fields: precision shooting with Swiss Arms M6
Sniper, electric handguns featuring the brand new
“Electronic Blow Back System”, represented by
two very well known weapons (Desert Eagle .50
AE and Sig SP2340), or else top notch electric
replicas with the Kalashnikov AK 47 et AK 47S.
All these replicas have something in common:
the quality of their manufacture. We can add to
those the extension of the Swiss Arms accessories range, that gives us superb tactical vest fitted
with numerous pockets.
Finally, to complete the new look of its communication (new catalogue and new SAM), Cybergun
has unveiled its new Internet site.
We went to meet these two designers.
Page 3
All the fall 2006 new models, with the superb Sig Sauer SP 2022 CO2 fixed bolt, used
by the French Police.
TEST: DE .50AE - SP 2340, electrically yours
Page 4
Electric handguns are a separate family in the Soft Air world.
Cybergun offers a new range of replicas named: Electronic Blow Back System. Let’s
find out!
TEST: The precision rifle Sniper M6
Page 6
Coming from Swiss Arms, this is a magnificent example of bolt-action rifle. Thanks
to the range of accessories from the same make, you can transform this rifle into a
superb replica of a sniper’s weapon.
Stéphane Balle, Editor
TEST: AK 47, THE MYTHICAL WEAPON
Page 10
The Kalashnikov assault rifle needs no introduction, but here are two replicas – one
of the standard models, the other of the AK 47S model – ; these electric replicas will
impress you by their realism and their out-of-the-ordinary standards.
INTERVIEW: Marc Courcelle and Alain Robin
Page 14
Passionate about IT and Macintosh, they tell us how the design of the new Cybergun
Internet site was developed.
Page 4
ACCESSORIES: Multi-pocket tactical vest
Page 15
Page 15
The range of Swiss Arms accessories expands with this very handsome multi-pocket
vest.
Page 10
Page 6
Cybergun is a Registered Trademark of Cybergun S.A., exclusive worldwide* licensee for these famous brands:
* Except Beretta
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NEWS
TEST
TAURUS PT99 CO2
New model in the CO2 range, the Taurus PT99 comes in ‘Semi
Auto’ and ‘Full Auto’ versions. As all other CO2 models, the PT99
is powerful (90m/s with 0.20 G rounds), accurate (fitted with a
BAX adjustable trajectory correction system), combat persistent
(the magazine holds 38 rounds) and realistic (it is ‘Full metal’).
Moreover, CO2 allows shooting in all weathers!
Disponible Novembre 2006
SIG SAUER SP2022 CO2
Another CO2 model. This time, it is a replica of automatic pistol equipping the French Police and Gendarmerie. Contrary to the Taurus PT99, the
SP 2022 is not ‘Blow Back’. While it is slightly less realistic, the replica is
more powerful (116 m/s with a 0.12 g round) and has greater shooting
capacity (over 250 rounds per ‘Sparklette’ capsule). The presence of a BAX
system endows it with high accuracy.
Available November 2006
SMITH & WESSON M645 Spring
In keeping with current film news, Cybergun offers a replica of
one of Sonny Crocket’s weapons in ‘Miami Vice’. Performancewise, the M645 will shoot its 14 rounds at 86 m/s; its trajectory
correction system is a fixed Hop Up. To ensure the ‘look’, a
silencer is provided in the box.
Available October 2006
SWISS ARMS Accessories
A lot is happening at Swiss Arms:
Two sighting scopes: one compact (5x42 E, ref.: 263856, EUR 55) and
the other standard (4x40, ref.: 263855, EUR 40), adaptable to all ‘weaver’
or ‘Picatinny’ rails. The body is made of aluminum, and in the case of the
5x42 E, the electronic intensity adjustment features seven levels.
Available September 2006
Magnificent rifle case made
of tough, thick nylon. The
3-colours decorative high
quality stitching on the front
enhances the classy look of
the case; its large pockets can accommodate all your accessories and
your rounds.
Ref.: 604005 – Average price: EUR 34
VThese are the new safety specs stamped SWISS
ARMS. Comfortable and adaptable, the arms
are removable and can be replaced with a
strap. The specs meet EU standards and
American ANSI Z87.1 – 2003 standard. In
short, serious gear!
Ref.: 603924
TAURUS PT24/7 spring
Among the ‘heavies’, a new model is announced with a manufacturing quality unequalled yet for this category of manual
models! It is a replica of Taurus PT24/7 and its realism
will strike you at once, as
will its smooth and powerful action. However, the best
feature of this model is its
soft rubber grip that endows it with
exceptional handling, like the original.
It weighs 525 g, the magazine holds
24 rounds and it is fitted
with the BAX system. The
energy is 0,5 J, with a
70 m/s velocity with 0,20 g
and 90m/s with 0,12.
Available October 2006
Ref. : 210103
Autumn 2006
Soft Air Mag
TEST
SERIES
DE .50AE - SP 2340
Electrically yours
Cybergun enlarges its electric handguns family with
two interesting models: the Desert Eagle .50 AE and
the Sig SP 2340. With the capability of burst fire as a
bonus!
SERIES
I
n the Soft Air world, electric replicas are often longbarreled weapons. The possibility of burst firing is
the justification for the presence of an electric motor. On handguns, gas replicas allow ‘automatic fire’,
and the ‘blow back’ system adds striking realism. The
most advanced, such as the Desert Eagle CO2, are
able to shoot in ‘full auto’ mode but their price is quite
high.
A solution had to be found for low power, entry-level
replicas. Thus came the ‘Electronic Blow Back System’.
The presence of a small motor allows the reproduction
of the slide movement and the ejection of the round.
As on long-barreled electric weapons, the motor compresses a piston, which ejects the round when it liberates the air contained in the chamber. A mechanism
uses the motor to actuate the slide.
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The motor needs four LR03 (AAA) batteries to operate;
these are placed in the grip in a precise order. Polarities
are marked on the opening door. It should be reminded
that all four batteries must be of the same capacity. It
is better to use new batteries. To pen the door, push it
back and lift.
Next, the magazine must be filled. It is also located in
the grip, just in front of the ammunition chamber. It is
extracted by pulling on the tab (on the SP 2340), or on
part of the magazine base-plate (on the DE .50AE). All
you need do now is to insert the 16 rounds (DE .50AE)
or 17 rounds (SP 2340). The curved shape of the magazine is explained by the lack of space in the grip, due
to the presence of the batteries.
You are now ready to shoot. As on all Soft Air, and to
prevent accidental discharges, the presence of a safety
catch is mandatory. The latter is located below the trigger guard. To shoot, this ‘button’ must be depressed
at the same time as the trigger is pulled. Fortunately,
it falls naturally under the middle finger. With a stated
power of about 0.1 joule, and despite the presence of a
Hop Up, I would advise to use 0.12 g yellow rounds.
This leads us to the new feature of this ‘Electronic Blow
Back System’ range: the possibility to shoot ‘full auto’.
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TEST
Thanks to a selector placed under the barrel, you can
fire single shots in ‘semi’ mode, or an unlimited burst
in ‘auto’ mode.
The presence of rudimentary markings is noticeable on
the replicas. On the SP 2340, only the name of the model appears on the slide. By contrast, the Desert Eagle
has its name and the IMI logo painted on both sides
of the grip. In conclusion, I should say that with these
replicas costing less than 30 euros, Cybergun offers
two quality electric handguns.
■
Thanks to the electric motor, the replicas of Desert eagle .50AE and Sig SP 2340 from the ‘electronic Blow Back
System’ can reproduce the movement of the slide.
Text and photos: Stéphane Balle
The battery housing is located in the pistol grip. Be careful to observe
the polarity. To help you, a + and – marks are stamped on the door.
The 0.1-Joule power allows access to these replicas to the youngest among us. The markings of the DE .50AE are
engraved on the slide while the SP 2340 is painted.
The safety catch falls naturally under the middle finger and allows shooting. Indeed, to activate the replicas, the
safety catch and the trigger must be squeezed at the same time. Please note the presence of the magazine release
catch and the safety: both are fake.
In both cases, the
magazine has a
curved shape. It
holds 16 (DE .50AE)
or 17 (SP 2340)
rounds that must be
loaded one at a time.
Here is the new element of the ‘Electronic Blow Back system’: the
presence of a selector for ‘Semi’ or ‘Auto’ shooting. If the selector is
pushed to ‘Semi’, a single round is shot for each pull of the trigger. On
the other hand, if the selector is on ‘Full’, a burst will be shot.
On the left, the
battery compartment
door can be seen,
with its + and
– signs.
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The precision rifle
Sniper M6
The Sniper M6 is not strictly a replica of a precision
rifle extant in the world of real weapons. Indeed, to
date, no manufacturer sells a rifle called M6. This replica is therefore a total creation from Cybergun under
the Swiss Arm make, for our greatest enjoyment.
T
his precision rifle is manufactured by the Cybergun Company in the Chinese People’s Republic,
hence the PRC initials. It is manufactured under
Swiss Arm license as can be seen on the box cover. The
latter shows an M6 and a rather good night-scene in
the background where several helicopters can be seen
in infrared vision mode. Beneath that image, the main
characteristics of the M6 are shown. The rifle shoots
at 105m/s with 0.20g rounds. The stated range is 40
meters. Besides, the rifle is fitted with
a BAX trajectory
SERIES
correction system, adjustable to boot. As for accuracy,
it is claimed that 50mm groupings are achievable up to
5 meters. There is also a mention that the M6 comes
complete with a ‘Speedloader’ two 25-round magazines as well as extra stock pads in order to adapt the
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size of the stock to that of the user. Finally, as can be
seen on the photo of the Sniper M6, this rifle is fitted
with two standard ‘Picatinny’ rails. One of these rails is
located beneath the rifle forward of the hand-guard to
receive a bipod, a laser or a light; the other rail is located above the rifle, near the bolt. This rail is intended
for a scope or a red dot system. Elsewhere, on one
side of the cover, the user’s instructions for the M6 are
shown. Upon opening the box, the sniper M6 is found
in two parts. This means that you must assemble it
yourself; we will see the assembly instructions later. A
barrel cleaning/clearing rod is also found, along with a
three-point sling, a bag of 0.20g rounds, a bag holding
the screws and the Allen key required for assembly, as
well as the assembly instruction sheet that doubles as
guarantee.
Assembling the replica
The Sniper M6 is sold in two parts. The upper part
comprises the barrel, the bolt, the cocking lever and
the trigger assembly in one unit. The lower half comprises the stock and the hand-guard. Both halves are
assembled by means of three screws and a single Allen key supplied in the box. One of the three screws
is already fitted to the replica. It is located near the
trigger guard. First, the upper part (barrel, bolt) must
be joined to the lower half (stock, hand-guard) in such
way that the trigger assembly is properly located in its
housing. Then, the already inserted screw needs to be
slightly tightened. Next, the assembly is completed by
tightening the other two screws. To avoid mistaking the
screws, the procedure is quite simple: you only need
to know that the largest diameter screw fits in the orifice near the centre of the rifle. Therefore, the smallest
diameter screw fits in the forward orifice on the rifle.
Regardless of which screw, tighten all of them slightly
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TEST
before tightening fully. To that end, find the thread for
each screw, start the tightening by hand, then use the
Allen key provided to tighten further. When all three
screws are three-quarter tight, you may tighten them
fully. Once the assembly is complete, the whole is a
solid unit, without play or creaks.
Handling the rifle
The Sniper M6 weighs 2 520 g and is 1 080 mm long.
Each of the three stock extension pads is 10mm long.
The length of the M6 rifle can be adjusted to 1 090mm,
1 100mm or 1 110mm as needed. To fit the required
number of these pads, to achieve good handling, it is
sufficient to remove the stock plate with the Allen key
provided, to add the required pads and then to replace
the stock plate. The handling of the M6 is very good
thanks to a good repartition of its weight and thanks to
the anti-slip finish on the hand-guard and on the grip.
Also, the fit inside the shoulder is pleasant thanks to a
rubber insert on the stock plate.
The Sniper M6 is constructed of ABS and metal. The
metal parts are the barrel, the bolt, the cocking lever,
the internal mechanism, the trigger and the two ‘Picatinny’ rails. The rest of the rifle is ABS. The plastic used
is of high quality. Its aspect is matt black.
Assembling the M6 Sniper
First, position the barrel on the chassis by
slotting in the trigger first.
This rifle is not fitted with sights, hence the presence of
a rail on the upper part of the bolt cover. This rail is 170
mm long. This is sufficient to attach any optical sights
to it (scope or red dot system). The run of the cocking
lever allows optical sights to be fitted with low, median
or high mounting rings. The other rail is 55mm long
and is located beneath the hand-guard. Its position and
size allow the fitting of a bipod, a light, or a laser.
As far as markings are concerned, there are no specific markings on the Sniper M6 other than the Swiss
Arms logo painted on the right side of the stock, and
the ‘made in P.R.C’ mark on the stock plate.
Once the rear part is located,
‘clip’ the barrel.
Next: On the early versions of
the M6 Sniper, the screw located
under the trigger guard was
independent from the replica; it is
now a solid part of it.
In the box of the Swiss Arms M6 Sniper, there are three pads to adjust the
length of the rifle to the needs of its user. Still using the Allen key provided,
their fitting is child’s play.
Using the Allen key provided,
simply tighten the three screws.
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Next: Close-up of the magazine
housing.
Centre: The presence of two ‘Picatinny’
rails allows the fitting of accessories
to the M6. The rail shown beneath the
replica can receive a bipod, a tactical
light or a laser. The rail positioned
on top receives sights (scope or ‘red
dot’).
Cocking the M6 Sniper
The M6 Sniper is a ‘bolt action’ rifle;
there are three steps in cocking it:
1. Lift the bolt handle
2. Pull to the rear until a ‘click’ is
heard. Also, once the pump is primed,
the mechanism resistance becomes
much lower.
3. Push back the bolt handle to its
initial position. If the safety is not
applied, be careful not
to touch the trigger,
a shot might be
released.
Next: A sling is supplied in the box;
this is the fixing point located on the
stock, the other fixing point is located
forward of the lower rail (see second
picture on the left).
Using the Sniper M6
En haut, la sécurité est sur la position
« S » pour « Safety », le tir est donc
impossible.
En bas, la sécurité est sur la position
« F » pour « Fire », vous pouvez tirer.
Each of the magazines supplied holds 25 rounds. To
fill the magazines, simply use the ‘Speedloader’ supplied. This rapid loader holds 90 rounds. It allows you
to fill three magazines before needing to reload. It is
therefore an accessory that should be kept nearby in
a pocket because it takes much less space than a bag
of rounds, and above all there is far less risk of tipping and losing one’s rounds. Using the ‘Speedloader’
is very simple. Open the black door at the back of the
accessory; pour rounds into it untilSERIES
you reach the 90
mark, then close the door again. Then press on the on
the black button on the side of the mark ‘Push open’ in
order that the ball follower comes out of its housing.
All you need do now is fill the magazines by placing
the neck of the ‘Speedloader’ on the neck of the magazine and pressing the black button as many times
as necessary, i.e. until resistance is felt. To return the
follower to its original position, simply push it fully and
depress the black button on the side of the ‘Push Lock’
indication to lock it.
Once the magazine is full, simply insert its neck towards the front of the rifle until a slight ‘click’ is heard.
To remove the magazine, press the button located
forward of the housing, place the thumb and index on
the marks either side of the housing and remove magazine downwards.
The safety is located on the right side of the cocking
lever. Shooting positions are indicated by the letters
‘F’ (Fire) and ‘S’ (Safe). To shoot with the m6 sniper
rifle, place the safety catch on ‘F’ and cock the weapon
using the cocking handle. Cocking is done by raising
the lever to the horizontal position, pulling it fully back
until a characteristic ‘click’ is heard and finally returning it to its original position. It is the classic cocking
procedure for any bolt-action rifle. During re-cocking, some resistance is felt, which leads to believe
that the spring is rather ‘beefy’: this is a good omen.
Shooting tests
The Sniper M6 is not fitted with sights, but, as explained previously, it has a ‘Picatinny’ rail that allows fitting
a scope. Unless you intend to shoot at very short range
(10 to 15 meters maximum), the installation of a x4 /
40 scope is strongly recommended. For the shooting
tests, I used a mid-range 4 x 40 scope with high mounting rings. First of all the shooting range is greater that
that stated on the box. A shooting distance of 50/55
meters is easily attainable. The velocity of the rounds
varies between 100 m/s and 110 m/s depending on the
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make of the rounds used and their weight. The BAX
accuracy system assumes its role perfectly. It is adjusted on the left side of the barrel, level with the handguard. However, the adjustment knob is very sensitive.
Care must be taken during adjustment. The shooting
tests were very conclusive since up to 50 meters, [BAX
system and scope properly adjusted] it is possible to
achieve groupings on an A4 sheet of paper (21 x 29.7
cm).
Granted, the impacts are not close, but the sheet can
be hit with each shot. The shooting tests have shown
that the best compromise of velocity and trajectory
was to use 0.23g or 0.25g rounds.
Conclusion
The Sniper M6 is a smart precision rifle for many
reasons. Indeed the shooting quality (velocity and accuracy) is more than satisfactory. Its look is rather successful. It is delivered with a number of above-average
accessories. And above all, its price (average price of
EUR 79) is beyond competition. In short, apart from its
low price, everything else is top of the range quality.
The opposition pales in comparison. I will only say one
thing: get yourself one soon and enjoy yourself.
The BAX trajectory correction
system is operated by means of a little
sliding tab.
Text: Laurent Kachler
Photos: Stéphane Balle
Customize your M6 Sniper
Thanks to the Swiss Arms accessory range, you can improve your replica. The new
4 X 40 scope (Ref. 263855, EUR 45) will endow your M6 Sniper with long distance shooting sights.
For supported shooting, the preferred position of a sniper, the aluminum bipod (Ref.:
605211, EUR 49.90) will be perfect.
Note that the two rails allow many combinations and the opportunity of fitting all accessories compatible with this system on your
M6 Sniper.
Next: Close-up of the aluminum bipod manipulation.
Below: Note that it is possible to extend the bipod.
Soft Air Mag
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TEST
Who does not know the AK47? In his latest film, Lord
of War, Nicolas Cage presents it as the most popular
guerrilla weapon in the world. This true, the AK47 is,
has been part of all conflicts across the globe, and the
latest models from Cybergun, the AK47 and its shortened version AK47S, both in AEG, let us put them under
the spotlight.
T
The magazines supplied in the AK47
boxes are of ‘High Cap’ type and hold
about 300 rounds each.
Loading is made loosely through the
top door of the magazine. Once the
rounds are in the magazine, simply
twist the knob at the bottom of the
magazine to position the rounds and
start shooting.
Soft Air Mag
heAK47 (Avtomat Kalashnikova Kalash’ is an assault rifle created by the Russian Mikhail Timofeevich Kalashnikov. This weapon is very popular
in the world and justly so, it is estimated that more than
90 million model 1947), often known under the name
‘Kalashnikov’ or ‘have been manufactured in a dozen
countries, mainly in Asia and Eastern Europe; and its
success is still current. It is a legendary weapon of recognized robustness, reliability even in extreme
situations, the simplicity of its maintenance
and also for very low production cost. This
weapon has a rich history, but before anything
else, its ammunition deserves to be discussed:
the 7.62 x 39 mm cartridge. At the turn of the
century, nearly all rifles used by the military were
of bolt-action types, with a few semi-automatic exceptions; they were chambered for long and powerful cartridges, liked for their long-range accuracy,
such as the famous 7.92 x 57 mm Mauser. The problem was that these cartridges were too powerful
10
AK
MYTHICAL
for use in a weapon with a high rate of fire: the recoil
forces would have been too high. The Germans created
a shorter and less powerful cartridge by reducing the
propellant charge and thus was born the Sturmgewehr
44 rifle. When it came in possession of some examples, the Red Army realized its potential and created an
equivalent cartridge, the 7.62 x 39 mm round. It appeared and was adopted by the Red Army in 1943. At that
time, Mikhail Timofeevich Kalashnikov was a sergeant
in an armored division; after being wounded during the
battle for Briansk, he drew some weapons during his
convalescence, but without the anticipated success.
He left the army to join the IZHMASH Ijevsh armament
factory when he created his own rifle in 1947; however, contrary to widespread opinion, he did not copy
the German ri- fle; he gained inspiration from the
workings of the M1 Garand as
well as from some Browning
weapons.
His project evolved until
1951 to lower production
costs still further. This latest version of his rifle was
adopted by the Soviet army
in 1953, but kept its first
designation: AK 47. This
armament legend was
destined for phenomenal
success from the outset.
On the strength of this
success, several countries
wished to manufacture
their own AK 47 models;
this led to the production
license being sold to such
countries as China, Finland
with its Valmet Rk 76, Poland, Croatia, Romania with its
AI, Serbia and Yugoslavia with
the M70 B1. However, this is
not all, Israel gained inspiration
from the Finnish rifle to create its
own Galil that was later produced
under license with the Vektor R4
name in South Africa. Later, Ukraine
with the Vepr, India with the INCAS,
Bulgaria, Cuba, North Korea with Model
58, Egypt with the MISR, Hungary wit its
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47
Right: this is the standard
AK 47;
Left, the short model with the folding
stock: the AK 47S.
WEAPON
tire package and this AK47 is
supplied with all necessary accessories.
This is quite an interesting concept since
its price is lower than other AK47. Thus, we
find a battery and its charger, a sling ant not 1 but
2 magazines of ‘High Cap’ type holding 300 rounds
each, the kit is truly complete. This AK47 is reproduced
in its two best-known versions: the first is the standard
AK47 version with a standard full stock; the other is
the AK 47S version with a folding stock. The first impression when looking at the replica is that it is largely
made of ABS plastic, but it also possesses many metal
parts: the barrel, the sights and their bracket, the gas
regulator, the stock obviously, the trigger guard, the
top cover, the rear sight, etc…The parts that attracted my attention, on first inspection, were the pistol
grip and the hand-guard that really look like wood and
I must admit that I was very nearly taken in. The finish
AK 55 and East Germany with it MPj-KM produced
their version of the famous Russian rifle. This gives an
idea of the global success of the weapon. Latterly, Russia has developed the AK 101 and 102, both chambered for the 5.56 x 45 mm NATO round, the AK103, 104
in 7.62 x 39 mm caliber and lastly the AK105 in 5.45 x
39 mm caliber. This weapon is present in all conflicts
and is appreciated by its users for its many qualities. It
still has a great future ahead and, who knows, it may
still be talked about in a century from now.
First impressions
When opening the box, we can see that it does not simply contain the replica and a magazine, as is the case
with other manufacturers. In fact, it contains an en-
1
2
3
The fire selector has three positions: 1. is the Safe position, shooting is impossible ; 2. ‘Full Auto’ position, the weapon shoots as long as the trigger is depressed ; 3. ‘Single shot’ position. The selector
is identical on the standard version and on the ‘S’ version. The impression of ‘stamped metal’ enhances the realism of the replica.
Below: a sample of all the markings present on the AK47 and AK47S.
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Installation of the battery in the AK47S
During re-assembly, take care
to position the cover correctly
as on the photograph.
Press the button located
at the rear of the carcass
and push back the cover
to reveal the battery compartment.
is good and the replicas are not too light; they are quite
convincing.
just painted. The top cover is made of metal, bringing
realism and added solidity, a good thing. As on many
electric replicas, the ejection port gives access to the
trajectory correction system.
The sights are simple to use, easily adjustable and agricultural, as on the real AK47, while the fixing screws
hold the whole tightly together. We also note that the
folding stock can damage the hand-guard once folded
but nothing much can be done about it.
The sling hooks look solid and, as this replica is not too
heavy, there should not be any worries.
As for the power supply, it is worth reminding that the
replica is sold with an AK type battery (an appropriate
name here!) of 8.4V / 600 mAh for the AK47S; the full
stock version has a battery of 8.4 V / 1300 mAh. The
charger supplied is simple and of the ‘slow charging’
type, it will therefore require several hours to reach
full charge. It should also be reminded that the battery
cells are NiCd, the battery needs to be fully discharged
before charging and no discharger is supplied.
To conclude this presentation, let’s discuss the magazines. As it was explained at the start, the weapon is provided with two magazines holding about 300 rounds.
They are made of plastic and only the forward part,
which clips into the AK47, is made of metal. However,
their finish is quite well executed. The rounds are fed
from the top as in most ‘High-Cap’ magazines and the
loading door seems solid; it does not open on its own.
Presentation
Inspection
A battery and
its charger are found
in the AK 47 box. Shown here
is the ‘Stick’ battery plugged into its
charger. It is strongly recommended not to
charge it for more than 6 hours, or it can be damaged.
Below: Detail of battery connection on the AK 47S.
Centre: To open the battery
compartment, you need to push down
the black plastic part on the end of
the stock.
Above: On the standard AK 47, the
battery sits inside the stock; it is larger
than that on the AK 47S.
Soft Air Mag
As on all AK47, we find the usual fire selector on the
right side with its three positions (Safe, Auto and Semiauto). As on the real thing, it is agricultural, but the
finish is well executed (good choice of paints on the
plastic) and the wood imitation is really impressive,
only slight molding flash spoil the superb effect. As
previously mentioned, there are many metal parts that
add to the realism of the whole; it will be noted that
parts attached to the barrel are a little too shiny (front
sight and gas regulator) but this is an unimportant detail. The stock of the AK47S is easily unfolded and allows a stable shooting position without too much play
in the assembly. The markings are not engraved but
12
After removing the top cover, using the small button
located at the rear, access is gained to the battery compartment. The latter fits easily and the usual connection is still simple. It will be noted that the electrical
wires used are thin but very strong. When the battery
plastic housing removed, access to the fuse is gained;
the trajectory correction system can be seen, as can
the top of the gearbox. The motor of this AK47 is accessed by stripping the pistol grip, like on the Marui
versions, it is well held in position. The main cog of the
motor seems sold and shows no traces of wear, even
after several shooting sessions. Let’s now examine the
strengthened parts located inside the replica. We note
that the stock bearers are reinforced on both sides; traces of red anti-vibration thread locking compound can
be seen. The part holding the magazine release button
and the forward magazine catch are also reinforced. Of
course, this is normal and it would have been inconceivable that they should be plastic.
At first sight, the gearbox is of high quality and well
machined; the screws are well fitted. The ‘Selector plate’ deserves a mention: this part is quite important because it is activated by the Fire Selector and therefore it
Autumn 2006
TEST
allows mechanical and electrical selection of shooting
modes from ‘Semi’ (i.e. one shot for each pull of the
trigger) to ‘Full auto’ (continuous burst). What is interesting when we examine this ‘Selector plate’ made of
white plastic on the left side of the gearbox is that it has
no electrical contacts, unlike the Marui model. In fact,
it can be seen that both electrical contacts are soldered
together; the only safety is therefore mechanical. This
is a good thing because, in the long term, corrosion of
the contacts could lead to malfunctions; this is another
positive point of the weapon. Looking more closely at
details, we note that the cogs are of reinforced type
and their construction shows their quality, yet another
positive point. The original fit is good and even after
firing over 5,000 rounds, no signs of wear can be seen
on the ‘Tappet plate’, a part made of black plastic, in
contact with the upper cog. As for the ‘nozzle’, the
spring guide-rod is made of high quality transparent
plastic; the manufacturer did not forget to fit a washer
at the bottom to save on wear caused by the spring,
which appears to be ‘beefy’ enough.
The piston itself is made of polycarbonate, as is the
piston head; the whole is light and robust. Even after
shooting thousands of rounds, no wear is visible on the
teeth. In short, we can state that this gearbox, as well as
all its components, is of high quality and that it will last
a long time since it all appears solidly made. Let’s now
move to the last part of this replica that we have not
really mentioned yet: the trajectory corrections system.
Apart from the screws, it is entirely made of plastic.
It is of the BAX One Way type (with two humps). Its
adjustment is very simple, it is carried out by moving
the white part: the further back it is moved, the greater
the increase of the trajectory correction. Note that the
shape of the rubber choke is uncommon since there
are two humps instead of one; this reduces the friction
of the ball on the membrane quite noticeably, as will be
seen during the shooting tests.
Operation, power and accuracy tests
After setting up the AK47, I started shooting in ‘Semi’
mode. Everything went well and the range is correct
for an ‘original’ replica. I then moved to ‘Full auto’ and
everything worked perfectly; having ‘High Cap’ magazines is an appreciable plus: shooting is worry-free,
Autumn 2006
The projectile trajectory correction
system is of the BAX One Way type.
To adjust it, you need to use the black
tab under the cocking handle.
Close-up of the ‘Selector Plate’: in
order to avoid possible electrical
problems, the contacts are soldered.
Details of the gearbox cogs, there is a
general air of quality.
no empty shots! We then moved to the power and
accuracy tests. The power of 0.8 Joule approximately,
combined with a 90 m/s muzzle velocity, is quite good
for an original replica while the average rate of fire is in
keeping with the average found in originals. The replica
was tested with 0.20g rounds.
As for accuracy, groupings are quite acceptable at 20
meters; the impacts are not too scattered. In short, this
is quite a satisfactory package in all respects: power,
rate of fire (between 600 and 800 shots per minute depending on the output of the battery used), range and
accuracy. The good balance and handling of this replica
contribute to the very good stability during shooting.
Conclusion
This AK47 combines everything to be a reliable replica.
Let’s underline again its very good finish, its excellent
wood imitation and the quality of its gearbox. The fact
that it is sold with all its accessories (two ‘High Cap
magazines, the battery and its charger) for a price
lower than other makes is truly its trump card against
the competition. The classic model, with its fixed stock
is sold for EUR 199 and the AKS model with the folding
stock is sold for EUR 18. This AK47 has a great future
assured.
The muzzle brake (top) and the sights
(bottom) are identical on the standard
and AK47S versions.
1
Text: Anthony Diat
Photos: Stéphane Balle
Soft Air Mag
INTERVIEW
SAM: Tell us about
the download section
A.R.: well, that’s
where you can find
the 2006 catalog, and
all the back issues of
SAM since the first,
which has become
a collector’s item,
exploded diagrams
of the products and
a brand new VIDEO
section,
enabling
Air Soft users to fix
breakdowns
and
maintain their products.
Cybergun has just
overhauled
the
look of its website.
Visit
www.cybergun.com
to find a multitude
of
information,
both for professionals and for
Soft Air fans. The
artisan behind this
change is called
Marc
Courcelle
and he has recently been joined
by Alain ROBIN, the
new webmaster,
whom we interviewed for you.
SAM: Why did you
include videos on
the website?
A.R.: We realized that
a large number of returns to the workshop were due to poor knowledge of a few basic rules.
We therefore decided to illustrate these basics using
videos, which is a more fun accessible format. The 13
videos (in wmp format) explain how to correctly use
an Air Soft Gun, remove a jammed round, correctly
maintain one’s replica, etc...
SAM: Is the website designed more for professionals, or for the public?
A.R.: the website is currently designed for the public
but the reseller section will be expanded to enable
them to enter their orders directly online.
SAM: When was the first Cybergun website created?
A.R.: the first site was developed in early 2000.
SAM: What are the major changes in the new website?
A.R.: The homepage has been totally redesigned and
the animated banner enables us to promote products,
events, etc... The most important change concerns the
catalog, which is now more complete, with an improved presentation to the product data sheets containing
a wealth of information, illustrations, numerous views
from various angles, including exploded views, etc...
More weighting has been given to news, on the homepage, with direct links to the technical data sheets
for the new items. This very important section will of
course be the one that changes the most frequently. A
new downloadable “videos” section has appeared, to
provide users with assistance. The resellers section
enables visitors to the site to find their nearest exclusive Cybergun point-of-sale.
SAM: What was the hit rate on the site before and
after the overhaul?
A.R.: Since the site was overhauled, the number of
visits has more than doubled and is rising constantly;
we are keeping a permanent eye on the indicators.
SAM: Does the “Products” section include the entire Cybergun catalog?
A.R.: almost all of the content of the printed catalog
can be found in this section, as well as the forthcoming new items, product associated accessories,
etc…
SAM: How long does a transformation like this
take?
A.R.: The complete overhaul of the website took
around 4 months. We had to take a large number of
new photos, of the articles, but the part that took the
longest is the site management tool that enables us to
broadcast the most up-to-date information in record
time.
For us, Internet has become a vital tool in our sector,
and Cybergun, the leader in its field needed a corresponding website, which we now have. There is still a
lot of work to be done on an everyday basis to retain
this position, and that is my challenge.
SAM: Alain ROBIN can you introduce yourself in a
few words?
Alain Robin: My background is in the specialist press
in a field of leisure quite similar to Air Soft. My job at
Cybergun will be to inject new life into the website. I
am doing all I can to make it better suit the expectations of Internet users who are always looking out for
something new.
SAM: Why did you decide to completely transform
the website?
A.R.: we really needed to refurbish our website; the
old site did not enable us to be sufficiently reactive.
We wanted a more modern interface, and sections
Soft Air Mag
with more content and more frequent updates, in
other words, a living site.
14
Above: an example of a technical data
sheet. A large amount of information
is available for each model in the
catalog.
Autumn 2006
ACCESSORIES
Multi-pocket
tactical vest
We had announced its arrival
last spring, and here is the
superb tactical vest in the
Swiss Arms range in hardwearing Cordura®.
Reviewed in detail!
The upper pocket is designed to hold
accessories such as a tactical light or,
as illustrated, a laser.
Special pockets to hold spare magazines: they can
hold magazines for any handgun, the Cybergun
“Speed Loader”, or even an M6 Snipper magazine
The bottom right part of the vest has three
pockets for three magazines from long
weapons such as the AK 47, the M4
A1, or the ini UZI, or indeed any other
model you may own. These pockets
are elasticized and can also be used
to carry smaller magazines.
Two large pockets on the sides are perfect for
carrying a pair of sunglasses or a “bottle” of
projectiles.
Lastly, the inside of the vest has two immense
pockets that can hold bags of 1,000 rounds.
The vest is fully adjustable with three
adjustable straps on the left and on
the right, ensuring a perfect hold in all
conditions.
Autumn 2006
15
Soft Air Mag
PLAY IT DUO
LEGENDS NEVER DIE
DUAL KIT
EUR 89
+
A Colt M4 R.I.S. rifle, Spring
A Colt MK IV handgun, Spring
or
Ref. : 180780
PLAY IT SOLO ?
Ref. : 180006
Colt MK IV spring,
with silencer, red dot, laser point rouge
EUR 14.90
Ref. : 180706
Colt M4 R.I.S. spring,
with red dot, flash lamp
and laser red dot.
EUR 79
EUR 69
Sign up at buy@cybergun.com (password: SAM)
to:
> receive the technical data sheet of new items by e-mail
> join the CYBERGUN customer loyalty program
Ref. : 180005
Colt MK IV spring,
with silencer and red dot
EUR 12
Find your nearest dealer by calling
LIC
+33 1 69 11 71 00
OF
NS
E
www.cybergun.com
Replicas of dummy firearms firing harmless 6mm plastic projectiles. Non-contractual photos.
FICIAL
CT
EUR 14.90
Ref. : 180705
Colt M4 R.I.S. spring
U
Ref. : 603408
Electronic target with 3 tilting targets
and projectile recovery net
ED PROD